After more than five years of toing and froing over possible locations, Lake Macquarie MP Greg Piper believes there is one perfect site for a regional basketball stadium.
And, that’s at Glendale, adjacent to the new-look Hunter Sports Centre, which unveiled its $52 million state-of-the-art expansion at the weekend.
Currently, New Lambton’s touted as the most likely locale, however that concept remains mired in controversy.
While all agree Newcastle Basketball needs another venue, to replace its 1970-built Broadmeadow stadium, not everyone can come to an understanding on its positioning.
In 2020, the powers-that-be hoped to construct a 10-court, 4,000-seat arena in Hillsborough, with an endorsement from Mr Piper.
The development application (DA) also reached Lake Macquarie City Council.
But, it proved futile, eventually refused by the Hunter and Central Coast Regional Planning Panel on multiple grounds.
Then, in 2023, amid great fanfare, it was announced a $30 million 12-court facility would be built on Crown Land – the home to Wallarah and Blackley ovals – opposite McDonald Jones Stadium, with the blessing of City of Newcastle.
Again, it appears to have hit a speed bump, with residents and neighbouring sporting groups unhappy with the setting.
However, if that model falls over, Mr Piper feels there is a suitable alternative within arm’s reach.
“I think any objective evaluation of the best sites in the region, for something that is a regional sport, would say the former Maneela Oval, off Main Road at Glendale, is the No. 1 spot,” he said.
“It’s just sitting there.
“Honestly, it’s been idle now for probably 25 or 30 years.
“It’s owned by the NSW Government… and I believe there’s a huge opportunity there if we can, once again, come together with everyone like-minded.
“The same thing happened here with the Hunter Sports Stadium decades ago.
“If we could get the same vision and the same buy-in, it’d be a fantastic outcome.
“I’m sure Newcastle Basketball would absolutely love it.
“I’ve spoken to people associated with it, they know it’s an ideal location.
“But, for several reasons, it’s come to the point where there’s now an application in for the site at New Lambton.
“It’s controversial and it’s not up to me to play wrecker.
“What I’m saying is… if, and I stress if, for whatever reason that application fails, it would be silly not to come back and look at the site at Glendale.”
Mr Piper specifically expressed it wasn’t a Lake Macquarie-Newcastle “territorial rivalry” that prompted his suggestion.
“Honestly, it’s for the betterment of the sport at the end of the day,” he said.
“I’m not proposing it (Maneela Oval) because it’s situated in my electorate.
“I will back any suitable outcome for the region.
“However, I feel the best possible result would be Maneela Oval.
“I’ve always said that… we just haven’t been able to put it on the table.
“I’d love to revisit the idea.
“And, given the Hunter Sports Centre is nearby, they go hand-in-hand, don’t they?
“There’s also ideal access right through, over the creek.
“You’d bridge that very easily, so the two facilities would complement each other.”
Mr Piper said the Lake Macquarie community could take “great pride” from the Hunter Sports Centre.
“I’ve been around since this was first envisaged in the mid-1990s,” he told the Newcastle Weekly.
“To witness people coming together from around the region, as well as all levels of government and different sporting groups, to deliver it was terrific.
“When it originally opened, it was amazing in its time.
“We had athletes here training in the lead-up to the 2000 Olympics.
“But, time moves on and takes a toll on the infrastructure.
“What’s here [today] exceeds all expectations.”
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